South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson steps down

Submitted by souri on Sun, 21/03/2010 - 3:27pm
Region: 
Australia
News type: 
Censorship

South Australian Attorney General, Michael Atkinson, has announced that he is stepping down from his position to make way for "new blood" and to devote more time to family. Atkinson made the announcement this morning, according to Adelaide Now.

While Atkinson will remain in parliament until 2014, his enduring reign as the South Australian Attorney General and main road-block for the greatly needed R-18+ rating classification for games in Australia is now over.

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9 comments

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Sun, 21/03/2010 - 11:27pm

"his enduring reign as the South Australian Attorney General and main road-block for the greatly needed R-18+ rating classification for games in Australia is now over."

I'd really like to agree, but this definitely remains to be seen...

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Mon, 22/03/2010 - 12:06am

Anti-anonymity laws, refusing to allow an R rating on games... Ding dong the witch is dead.

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Mon, 22/03/2010 - 8:42am

"While Atkinson will remain in parliament until 2014, his enduring reign as the South Australian Attorney General and main road-block for the greatly needed R-18+ rating classification for games in Australia is now over."

This is of course assuming that

a) His successor isn't also opposed to the rating as much as he is, and
b) None of the other AG's are opposed to it

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Mon, 22/03/2010 - 9:16pm

I'm in agreement. With the state elections and such, just because one "roadblock" is replaced, doesn't mean one or more are introduced. Still, glad that he's gone at least. I wonder if the backlash from gamers and the recent open submissions from the public on classification had anything substantial to do with this? I'd like to think yes, but, my cynicism precludes me from doing that :/.

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Mon, 22/03/2010 - 10:51am

Yeah call my cynical but I wouldn't start popping the champagne corks just yet.

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Mon, 22/03/2010 - 10:53am

Halleluiah

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Mon, 22/03/2010 - 2:18pm

Now we wait for 2014...

souri's picture

by souri on Wed, 24/03/2010 - 7:56pm

Just saw chris4croydon's tweet...

New SA Attorney-General is John Rau, a supporter or the R18+ classification for games (and a nice guy, to boot)

I can understand the pessimism for the chances of the R18+ the rating, and it's been said time and time before, the cog wheels of law amendments move so very, very slow, but with the news of Atkinson stepping down and having no veto power or part whatsoever on the further discussions for the new rating, along with this news, you can't help but feel a glimmer of hope on the horizon.

Anonymous's picture

by Anonymous on Tue, 30/03/2010 - 11:33am

This can only be good news.

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